We still had a big pay-day coming to us, and for thirty-seven days, without a drink to addle our mental processes, we incessantly planned the spending of our money.
The first statement of each man--ever an ancient one in homeward-bound forecastles--was: "No boarding-house sharks in mine." Next, in parentheses, was regret at having spent so much money in Yokohama.

And after that, each man proceeded to paint his favourite phantom.

Victor, for instance, said that immediately he landed in San Francisco he would pass right through the water-front and the Barbary Coast, and put an advertisement in the papers.

His advertisement would be for board and room in some simple working-class family.

"Then," said Victor, "I shall go to some dancing-school for a week or two, just to meet and get acquainted with the girls and fellows.